Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 347 - July 1990
The scanned images of the Slasher were produced by and courtesy of the Forest Research library staff based at Alice Holt, Surry, where some of the original copies are located and assisted by staff at Forest Research, Roslin. Brian Mahony has been instrumental in locating many missing editions and continues the searches to locate all the earlier publication numbers.
The content summary below was very kindly compiled by Diane Birkett, Bedfordshire. See PDF attachment link below the text to view the full document. A total of over 420 issues or publications were produced between January 1948 and the final issue in 2009. To see the full edition please click on PDF link below this text.
Small, They Say …
While clearing up the devastation caused by gales, four forest workers came upon a massive root plate in Holidays Hill Inclosure in the New Forest. A 130 year old Douglas fir measured 9 cubic metres. Eileen Tilling of New Forest FD says it is small in comparison with some being dealt with by staff. The largest victim recorded so far is a 20 cubic metre Douglas fir in the Rhinefield ornamental drive.
Picture: Ray Stride, Richard Stride, Roly Bessant and Keith Sparks by the Douglas fir root plate.
Howzat … 378 Not Out!
The Adams family of Shropshire claim a record of 288 years’ family service to forestry, plus three cousins with 30 years’ service each, giving a grand total of 378 years’ service to forestry.
The father James Adams began in the Forest of Dean and had 56 years’ service. His sons went to Parkend Forestry School.
Their service records: -
Bill Adams had 7 years’ service in the Dean.
Jimmy had 51 years’ service, retiring in 1959 as Head Forester in the New Forest.
Isaac Adams had 49 years’ service, retiring in 1964 as Head Forester, Mortimer.
Charlie Adams had 50 years’ service, mainly in South Wales, retiring in 1965.
Harry Adams had 34 years’ service.
Jim Adams (son of Isaac) had 41 years’ service.
Liz Has a Card Up Her Sleeve - Hawaii
Liz Gill, Typist, Dornoch FD, has won the Scottish Singles Cribbage Championship for the third year. Her previous title successes were in 1983 and 1984. She is also in a small team of volunteers in her home village of Embo, who raised £30,000 in two years to save their former Primary School from being sold, and to adapt it as a multi-use community centre with the emphasis on bringing youth and age together. At the opening ceremony were a couple from Hawaii, Hannah and Will Johnstone, who had fallen in love with Embo and its people, and were invited over for the opening. They also handed over the official twinning certificate from the Mayor of Hawaii, for Embo to be twinned with the village of Kaunakakai on the Island of Molokai. Former Chairman of Embo Community Centre Association, Donald Ward, EO in Morgannwyg FD, and Liz are planning to visit Hawaii as guests of the Mayor.
Picture: Liz Gill at the opening ceremony.
Slasher Betty
Since its opening in 1973, the Management Training Centre at Ae has had over 10,000 FC course members, 1,300 private sector course members and 3,000 visitors. There have been three Management Training Officers, ten Training Officers and Betty Cowan, Administrative Officer, who originally joined the Commission’s Education and Training Branch in 1972 at Gubhill and moved to the Ae Centre when it was completed.
Picture: Betty Cowan cuts the tape for an event at the Ae Management Training Centre.
Lassies o' the Land
Doreen Stewart of BBC Radio is searching for “Timber Lassies” who served in the Forestry Division of the Land Army or Timber Corp.
New Boost for Woodland Grants
Widespread support has been given to the Government’s plans for a new grant scheme from 1992 to support forestry management. The woodland management grants, announced by the Scottish Secretary Malcom Rifkind, are part of a package of measures arising from a review of broadleaved woodland policy and will be available to owners of both broadleaved and conifer woodland who agree a five-year plan of operation with the Commission.
It is estimated that the annual cost of the new grants will be about £5 million once the system has built up – all found by the Commission from within existing resources.
Grants of up to £35 per hectare will be paid annually in arrears, subject to satisfactory implementation of the plan. A lump sum payment of £100 will also be available from the FC for owners who draw up management plans for the first time, with the benefit of professional advice for areas eligible for woodland management grants. This assistance will not be available for planting plans.
There will be two types of grant: -
A - Standard management grants payable during the normal maintenance period following the initial establishment phase of the woodland, for conifer woodlands between 11 and 20 years of age and for broadleaved woodlands between 11 and 40 years.
B - Special management grants payable for woodlands of special environmental value of any age above 10 years. In return, the owner must agree to take specified action to maintain and enhance the woodland’s special character. Woodlands in this category will be those which, in the Commission's view, are of special value for nature conservation, landscape, public recreation or a combination of these, by virtue of their nature, location or use.
A supplementary grant will be paid for woodlands of less than 10 hectares because of the higher management costs involved.
Woodlands currently in receipt of grants from other public bodies will not be eligible for the new grants, except for those established under the Farm Woodland Scheme. The annual payments to farmers under that scheme are compensation for agricultural income forgone, and are not provided for the purpose of defraying maintenance expenditure. Measures to control grey squirrels are included in the approved management plan.
It's All Happening! The Things You Can Get Up To … On Land or Water
In Cowal FD, District Forester, H&M, Jim Lyon, organised a charity relay race between Forest Management section and Harvesting and Marketing, across Loch Eck and back to the Coylet Inn. The winning team was deemed to be the first to down a pint of beer on returning to shore. Winners were H&M despite objections that the FM team were hindered. Objections were refused by the adjudicator who ruled the law of the jungle prevails. All money raised on the day is going to Tree Aid.
Pictures: (1) The Cowal crews gather by a lovely setting, ready for the fray. (2) Racing for the shore and a pint. (3) Diving for the first pint that marks the Cowal victors.
The North England Conservancy staff sailed their raft Conifer II on the River Ouse in the RNLI race. Captained by its builder Michael Douch, and despite being pelted with eggs, buckets of water and fire pumps on their way to the starting line, the team managed to negotiate the two-mile course, to finish third in the mechanical raft class, taking 45 minutes to complete the course.
Picture: Janice Campbell, Dalby Workshops; Susan Campbell, Conservancy Office; Julia Wright, Conservancy Office; Captain Michael Douch.
In Cowal FD, the cast of the local Benmore Drama Club production was made up of people connected to the forestry industry. The farce, Trial and Error, written by Kenneth Horne, was the drama company’s 25th production. Taking part were Mike Bentley, FOIV; Claire Lumley, AO, Cowal Office; Pat McGranaghan; Sandra MacPhail; Mike Lewis; and Roy Reece.
Picture: The Benmore Drama Club players.
A week later, Area Land Agent, Kevin Firth, based in Cowal Office, had a singing and dancing role in the local Choral Club’s production of “My Fair Lady”, which was well received.
James Ogilvie, Management Officer at Kielder FD writes: Around twenty teams entered the Carriage Driving event at Kielder, which was organised by Northumberland Carriage Driving Club. The event consisted of the Marathon, where carriages are pulled over a seven-mile course with hazards, incurring penalty points for going too fast or too slow, and an Obstacle course, where the driver tests his skill and the horse’s obedience against a challenging twisting course.
Picture: A view from the bridge, one of the Kielder carriages negotiates a tricky section.
Get Out and Travel With Fellowship - Stimulating Change, Says Medal Winner Mark Yorke
Mark Yorke, District Manager at Dolgellau FD and David Mackie, Head Forester at the Forest of Dean, urge colleagues to apply for Travelling Fellowships from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. “A short sabbatical can be a refreshing and stimulating change,” says Mark Yorke, who won one of the 108 fellowships awarded last year, along with fellow FC officer David Mackie.
David Mackie went on to study natural regeneration of hardwoods in France, ending his study this summer. Mark also went to France and to Switzerland, Bavaria, with one day in Austria. His chosen subject was “Regeneration and Management of Uneven-aged Coniferous Forests in Central Europe and its Relevance to Great Britain.” The Fellowships last for approximately 8 weeks.
Pictures: (1) A wooden road bridge in Switzerland. (2) Timberjack extraction in French Jura.
Picture: Marke Yorke at Guildhall on May 11, when he received his Churchill Fellowship medallion from the Queen at an event to mark the scheme’s Silver Jubilee.
Here's Something Perhaps You Didn’t Know
A suggestion to avoid the use of chopsticks in a drive to curb the loss of the world’s forests. According to an environmental group in Japan, the amount of wood used in one year to make “waribashi” (chopsticks) is equivalent to the volume of wood used to build an average of about 11,000 houses. While manufacturers argue that scrap wood is mainly used, the environmental campaigners retort that as wood chopsticks become increasingly popular, trees up to 30 to 50 centimetres in diameter are used, for logs are easier to transport than messy scrap. Mrs W.F. Maloney of the Private Forestry and Environment section of the FC office in Dumfries, says a member of staff recently received a newspaper cutting from a friend in Japan which underlines the seriousness of the position. The Japan Environmental Exchange (JEE), a volunteer campaigning group, have targeted restaurants in the Kyoto area. They claim that about ten billion disposable chopsticks were imported to Japan last year from Malaysia, Korea, China and the USA. JEE say “In modern Japanese society, lighters, shavers, pens and even umbrellas, cameras and bicycles have become disposable. It would be wise to halt this process and think more carefully about the consequences of every little thing we do.” They are asking restaurants to provide customers with reusable chopsticks. In addition, volunteers will visit various establishments to talk about conservation problems.
Lynne is a B-z-z-z-y Bee for Charity
Salaries Section at HQ will re-launch the Give As You Earn scheme with leaflets distributed to all staff (excluding pensioners). Lynne Stafford gives the details of the scheme where each £1 promised actually only costs the donor 75p at standard rate of tax (less if you are paying a higher rate of tax). Up to £600 can be given each year, spread among eight charities, which include Tree Aid, TUC Aid, Dr Barnado’s and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund. The bee leaflets contain application forms.
Wooden Head
A training programme for students included a visit to an annual Conservancy timber auction, which involved about 80,000 cubic metres. Suggested one bemused student, “It must be difficult to arrange to have all that timber at the hotel for the auction.”
Royal Highland Highlights
Abertay FD organised the Forestry Commission display at the Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, near Edinburgh.
Despite damp and windy weather, attendance was up on previous years. The Forestry Commission alone recorded 4,800 visitors to their display over the four days, a 30 per cent increase on last year's figures. In addition to the WGS and FWS displays, Abertay FD M(S) mounted a display on The Changing Forest, “Creating Woodland Habitat.” It showed that forest management is not a static process and that as early forests mature, the cycle of harvesting and planting provides an opportunity for planned improvements to the ecology and diversity of the woodland.
Lord Sanderson of Bowden, Minister of State at the Scottish Office, presented Dr Phil Radcliffe, Principal Wildlife and Conservation Research Officer, with the Balfour-Browne deer trophy for 1990 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to deer management, conservation and research. Phil has developed a scientific basis for the estimation of deer numbers, allowing a more rational approach to deer management and a clearer understanding of the interaction between deer and the environment. The result of this work includes the publication of a scientific bulletin and the development of a Red Deer Management training package, initially for FC Rangers, but possibly later available for private sector trainees. Raymond Johnstone, FC Chairman, was on hand at the show to congratulate Phil and thank Lord Sanderson for his help in presenting the trophy. Other VIP visitors were the Scottish Secretary, Malcolm Rifkind and Baroness Trumpington, Minister of State for MAFF.
Pictures: (1) Dr Phil Radcliffe receives his award from Lord Sanderson. (2) Mrs Margaret Kennedy and Forestry Commission Chairman, Raymond Johnstone present the John Kennedy Trophy to a Buccleuch Estates representative. (3) Malcolm Rifkind, Scottish Secretary with Hugh Insley, Mid Scotland PF&EO. (4) FC Chairman, Raymond Johnstone sits with the two bears. (5) Baroness Trumpington is introduced to Commissioner Roger Bradley by the FC Chairman Raymond Johnstone.
Cowal FD supplied the weekend entertainment with a demonstration of tree surgery and tree climbing by Forest Officers Tony Rees and Mike Bentley. On the Sunday, Forest Craftsman Jimmy Gillies pulled in the crowds with his excellent woodcarving.
Forestry in Scotland this year amalgamated into one tent, hosting the ICF, RSFS, TGUK, ICF, the Forestry Safety Council, the Scottish Forestry Trust and the forestry colleges. The theme was the value of forestry to Scotland and Publicity Officer Claire Footit enlisted the help of Connie and Fergus, two Forestry and Conservation bears, to drum up support.
TUS Diary
Kenny Murray reports on the suggestion of the privatisation of Forestry Commission land and says the Forestry Unions Action Group campaign is under way. Other topics are about the acquisition of land, and Annual Staff Reporting.
Picture: The Action Group’s campaigning leaflet. Some of the artwork is a candidate for the BP Art Awards.
Suffolk Success
At the Suffolk Show, the Forestry Commission won “The Perpetual Challenge Rose Bowl” award , for the best working demonstration arranged in connection with the exhibitor’s everyday business. The major award was made possible by a unique partnership with Halstead based contractors “Logmasters”, who provided machinery and expertise, as well as a good deal of time and energy, to the Commission's stand. Almost 90,000 people came to the two-day show and judging by the very few leaflets left in the FC caravan at the end, most must have visited the Commission stand.
Aberystwyth Agricultural Show
At the Aberystwyth Agriculture Show, Stephen Williams, FOIII, was presented with a rosette for the Trade Stand competition. Staff served 10 gallons of tea and coffee to thirsty show goers, who also enjoyed a static display of Welsh forests’ harvests and a browse among leaflets and publications.
Cowal Conquers
Over 100 people including residents of the Ellis Lodge home for adults with special needs, senior citizens from Struan Lodge, Ashgrove and Bethania House, together with children from Woodside School and Dunoon Grammar School Special Unit attended a forest open day, held by Cowal FD in Glenbranter. Events included a demonstration of tree felling and demonstrations of forest mechanical equipment including forwarders, cable cranes and all-terrain vehicles used for conservation. Commission staff explained methods of forest management and uses of the vehicles and allowed children and adults to inspect the machinery at close hand. During lunch, which was provided by district staff and some Glenbranter villagers, there was a display of tree climbing, a demonstration of fire fighting, a superb wildlife display and tree carving.
District Forester Jim Lyon demonstrated skipping-rope making for the children. Tony Rees, who organised the day’s events was delighted with the excellent feedback received from all who attended. One of the helpers said “Angus Murray, FD manager at Kilmun can give himself a pat on the back for the efforts and time of all his staff on this extremely interesting and entertaining day out.”
Pictures: (1) Roadside close-up of one of the many Cowal FD attractions on their Open Day. (2) Lunchtime for the Cowal visitors.
Duke Praises Book on Hebrides
Dr Morton Boyd, the FC’s Nature Conservation Consultant has received a special accolade from the Duke of Edinburgh in a new book on the natural history of the Hebrides. The Duke says in a foreword: “There is no doubt at all about the enthusiasm of the Boyd family for the Hebrides, and it shows in every line of this splendid book. I believe that it will become a benchmark for all those who are interested in the Natural History of the islands in the future.”
The book, in the Collins New Naturalist series, is written by Morton and his son Ian (whose life-long hobby developed into scientific research on seals) and is the conclusion of many years’ extensive investigation.
Sports
Forestry Commission HQ football teams took part in the East of Scotland Civil Service Sports Day. The ladies led the way with some fine performances in the initial rounds, only to be beaten in the semi-finals.
Picture: The ladies’ football players.
The men showed less prowess and were unceremoniously knocked out in the first round without scoring a goal.
Picture: The HQ bowling team Cathy Conway, Christine McLean, Ron Maiden and Colin Spillane.
In cricket, the North England annual “Test” between the FC and Timber Trades took place at Ponteland.
FC took control with an opening partnership of 72 after Trade had been dismissed for 133, and FC won easily by seven wickets.
Alice Holt have issued a challenge to HQ, NRS or any District office.... “We’ll show you a clean pair of heels.” Runners from the Lodge, well satisfied with the success in the Frensham Ponds Fun Run last year and hoping to better their positions this year, want other FC areas to match them. The team’s fun run standings were: Jim Page (Silviculture South) - 11th; Brenda Mayle (Wildlife and Conservation) - 9th; Brian Greig (Pathology) - 7th; Richard Ferris-Kaan (Wildlife and Conservation) – 1st. Others in the team were Robin Gill; Phil Ratcliffe; Keren Johnson (former PA to Director Research); and John Bartlett, husband of Barbara.
Picture: Brian Greig; Thelma Smalley; Brenda “Batwoman” Mayle; Barbara Bartlett; and Richard Ferris-Kaan.
You Are a Bright Lot, Aren't You
Steve Penny, currently in Newton Stewart S(S), has gained his degree for Master of Forest Engineering. He had to go to Canada to win it, for no university or college offers such a course in this country.
Steve graduated at the University of New Brunswick in May. He paid tribute to Roger Hay, Director of Engineering, and to FC staff in HQ and at Lochgilphead office, who gave him valuable support. He said as a discipline in its own right, Forest Engineering is a combination of training in forestry, engineering and management.
Picture: Steve Penny at his graduation with two of his examiners, Dr R.A. Douglas and Professor Methven.
The accolade of Student of the Year has gone to Kate Blakesley, who was at York office for 12 years before moving to M(S) Conservancy last August. She passed with merit her BTec course in Surveying and Land Use and was praised for her outstanding contribution to the course. She completed the two year course at Leeds College of Building last July.
Picture: Student of the Year, Kate Blakesley receiving her prize from the College Principal at Leeds Town Hall last month.
Inverness College has been successful in “uprating” its forestry course to an advanced level.
The Scottish Vocational Education Council (SCOTVEC) has approved plans for the award of a Higher National Diploma (Forestry) and students who enter the college this autumn will be the first to be enrolled in this course. Until now, the course at Inverness led to the award of the Scottish National Certificate in forest management.
Scots Welcome to Mariana and Conchita
As part of the European Community Action Programme in Education and Training for Technology (COMETT), two Spanish forestry students have arrived in Scotland to work with the Forestry Commission.
The programme provides support for the placement of students, new graduates and lecturers to gain experience of working companies in other European countries, in an effort to stimulate technology transfer between member states.
Mariana Orti and Maria Concepcion Alba Tuells (Conchita) have been involved in landscaping since they started with the Commission in March. Mariana is in Edinburgh working in Glen Urquhart Forest and Conchita is in Perth working in Tentsmuir Forest, Abertay FD.
Picture: Mariana Orti and Maria Concepcion Alba Tuells from the Escuela Technica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes, Madrid.
Holy Smoke! What's Going On Here …
Charcoal burning has been revived in Wyre Forest in a trial for an educational programme to be launched in September. Conservation Ranger Peter Hobson donned clothes of another era and temporarily lived in a wigwam, typical in the charcoal burners’ camp.
The Forestry Commission and Bewdley Museum have designed the project as an educational resource for local schools in the Wyre Forest area. A charcoal “clamp” was built from six tons of oak wood covered in earth. The wood came from the small branches of the trees canopy, known in the old days as cord wood. The burn had to be watched continuously for 72 hours to prevent it from turning into a huge bonfire. The charcoal is being sold for £2.50 per kilogram by the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre and Bewdley Museum. Peter joined in the “clamp” watching, dressed in charcoal burner’s attire of muffler, flat hat, waistcoat, rough trousers and strong boots.
Pictures: (1) Wyre Forest charcoal project. (2) Charles Fogg, Curator of Bewdley Museum and Peter Hobson in clothes of the period. (3) Peter Hobson and the wigwam that was his temporary home and Charles Fogg.
In North-east England, the South Tyne and Wear / North-east Durham Community Forest project was launched as part of the national programme of “Forests for the Community”. The programme, a joint initiative between the FC and the Countryside Commission, aims to develop 12 projects in the coming years.
The South Tyne and Wear / North-east Durham project (STAWNED) is one of three lead schemes, initially running for three years and producing a comprehensive “plan of action” to lead into the next century.
Joining the two Commissions on this project are five North-east local authorities. Community forests will be multi-purposed forests designed, developed and managed to provide for people's leisure needs, nature conservation and timber production. Located on the edge of cities and large conurbations, they will strongly influence the environmental quality of green belts and the development planning of major cities; provide a permanent, high quality environment responsive for the needs of urban communities; improve areas around forest edges, such as housing estates, and create more appealing urban locations for industry and commerce; provide thriving havens for wildlife with diverse tree cover and landscapes; filter the atmosphere of cities, absorbing pollution and “greenhouse gases”, while releasing oxygen. A partnership of all sections of society will be forged to work together to plan and implement the STAWNED project.
Fantastic, Colin
Colin Saunders of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, ran this year's London Marathon in a creditable 3 hours 50 minutes and raised £220 for Tree Aid.
Picture: Colin Saunders.
Appointments
Ian Dewar Coutts and Charles Richard Woosnam are re-appointed as part-time Forestry Commissioners for three years and two years respectively.
The Best Not the Worst
Entries are being sought from Civil Servants’ departments for a competition to find the best example of service to the public. The competition was launched in response to The Sunday Times offer of a magnum of champagne for the worst example of departmental administration. “How depressing”, reported Sir Robin Butler. “Why not support success?”
The Wood of Friendship
In a project inspired by an American visitor, schoolchildren helped to plant out trees to mark Friendship Wood, so named to commemorate the many contacts which have been made since the Lockerbie air disaster.
During and since the air disaster, the area has had many American visitors, including a retired forester, Mr Frank Lockyear of ReTree International, Oregon. Frank spends his retiral travelling the world, persuading governments to create forests. His successes include Korea, Third World and Eastern European countries. He was intent on planting a forest with local residents and American scouts in Lockerbie, so local authorities sought FC co-operation and 120 children from Lockerbie Primary School had a super day out planting trees on the specially prepared site next to the Black Esk picnic area.
Picture: The tree planting group in Friendship Wood, Lockerbie.
Village Nature Park
Steve Roderick, Director of Central Scotland Countryside Trust, has been showing the successes of the Trust’s efforts in tree planting and the “greening” of the industrial wastelands of Lanarkshire. Community woodlands, roadside trees and trees in the gardens of council estates are just some of the visible signs in towns and villages like Briech and Bonkle.
In five years, Steve and his team of 35 people have organised the planting and care of two and a half million trees, 50 kilometres of new hedge and 50,000 bulbs. The Trust's chairman is former Forestry Commissioner, Captain Derick Forbes, and its members include seven council nominees, with additional funding from the Countryside Commission for Scotland.
The first of a series of Village Nature Parks on the edge of the Dykehead end of Shotts, near the Trust’s headquarters, has been welcomed by residents and community leaders. Voluntary groups and individuals are rallying to the cause. Steve said someone now phones the Fire Brigade whenever one of our woodlands is set alight.
All My Own Work
Car enthusiast, John Beattie, CME, North England, has spent 500 hours over four years building his “JBA Falcon”, based on Ford running gear and powered by a Rover V8 engine. During the four years, John also had two house moves and three new jobs.
Picture: Readers may recognise the car as a Leopard which featured in a recent ITV series “The Chancer”.
Birthday Honours
Donald Macarthur, Secretary of the UK Softwood Sawmillers’ Association, received the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. He has been Secretary of the Association, formerly known as the Home Timber Merchants’ Association of Scotland, for 20 years and was Assistant Secretary for eight years.
OBEs were also awarded to Professor Charles Gimmingham, a member of the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee, and N(S) RAC, and to Malcolm McSwan, Chairman of Central Scotland Woodlands Ltd.
Congratulations
After the launch of Thetford Forest Park by former England football star Trevor Brooking, which was reported in the May issue of “Slasher”, the local MP Mrs Gillian Sheppard (South-west Norfolk), said in a radio interview “I'm absolutely thrilled with what I see. The Forestry Commission deserves every congratulation. All this kind of work, interpretation centres and so on, began in Scotland and has spread throughout Britain, wherever the Commission is established. I'm absolutely delighted with what they have been able to achieve in this very beautiful part of Norfolk.”
In-convenience
A certain Landscape Technician, who must remain anonymous due to the delicacy of the situation, was heard shouting for help in the ladies toilet. Apparently on going to answer a call of nature, she found that a tube of super glue in her back pocket had leaked, and her jeans were stuck fast to her body. Gentle hands came to her aid to prise the hapless girl free.
Postbag
Never an idle moment: Since Jack Jennings retired 20 years ago, he has been kept very busy, including doing many honorary jobs and helping in the local community.
Keep it in perspective, lads: Dave McLeod asks if Kenny Murray (TUC) was serious when he questioned Slasher’s sexist trend and questions whether he was shocked by the picture of the naked frog on Page 3.
Motto for the future: Steve Penny suggests the statement from E.P. Stebbing in his book “Commercial Forestry in Britain – It’s Decline and Revival” published in 1919, is an appropriate motto for forest walks: “It is an indisputable fact that the air on wooded and mountain sides has certain healthful properties on the jaded human being worn out with work, high living and the incessant excitement of modern life.”.
Leavers - Redundancy
Albert Smith, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 44 years’ service with the Commission.
Ivor King, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 35 years’ service with the Commission.
Bertie Ling, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Tim Palmer, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
Freddie Smith, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
David Mayhew, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
Denny Hazlewood, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
Gary King, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
David Smith, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
Ron Lilley, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 31 years’ service with the Commission.
Jim Elliott, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
Michael Wheeler, Suffolk FD, was made redundant after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
Pictures: (1) The redundant workers with spouses – Ivor King; Bertie Ling; Tim Palmer; Freddie Smith; David Mayhew; Albert Smith; Denny Hazlewood; Gary King; David Smith. (2) Ivor King, Bertie Ling and Albert Smith received their Long Service certificates from Norman Dannatt, Conservator E(E).
A Busy Year for Edinburgh HQ Retirement Association
Edinburgh HQ branch of the Retirement Association has arranged coffee and chat get-togethers; a guided walk along the Royal Mile; a sail down the Forth in the Gardyloo, the local refuse boat; Christmas Lunch at the zoo; a theatre visit; and a day out in Dunkeld. There is a list of other events planned by the Committee, who are Chairman, Bill Sutherland; Vice-Chairman, Mike Locke; Secretary, Lilian Adamson; Social Convener, Mary Lowry; Slasher rep, Nancy MacKenzie; Treasurer, Harry Crawford.
Retired
Bob Miller, HQ, has retired after 15 years’ service with the Commission. He worked in Secretariat, Finance and finally Office Services.
Picture: Bob Miller.
Arthur Middleditch, Forest Craftsman, Suffolk FD, has retired after 43 years’ service with the Commission.
Bob Powell, South East Wales FD, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission, after starting in the Welsh borders at Mortimer Forest, then going to Forest School, and being posted to Crychan, the Rhondda and Brecon.
Idwal Evans, Forest Management, Wales Conservancy, has retired after 39 years’ service with the Commission.
Doc Rees, Forest Management, Wales Conservancy, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission, which he spent in the old Ebbw Forest. He spent his early years in the northern area, near Ebbw Vale, where he helped to establish woods from scratch. He was known as “Doc” because when he started his career with the Commission, he carried the first-aid bag.
Picture: Doc Rees with Conservator John Morgan, colleagues and friends.
Jack Morgan, Wales Conservancy, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission.
Don Thomas, Forest Management, Brechfa Forest, Wales Conservancy, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission. Much of his working life was spent on harvesting, particularly pitwood conversion and more recently on forest management.
Ian Dymont, Mobile Mechanic, St Hilary Workshop, Wales Conservancy, has retired after 23 years’ service with the Commission.
John Jones, Senior Storeman, St Hilary Workshop, Wales Conservancy, has retired after 12 years’ service with the Commission.
Albert Davies, Tipper Driver, Llandovery Roads, Wales Conservancy, has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Albert Davies with Conservancy Civil Engineer, Mr D.J. Killer.
Tommy Cameron, Workshop Manager, Torlundy, Fort William, has retired after 50 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1939 as a forest worker in Inchnadarroch Forest and was assigned to the Home Grown Timber Production Department during the War years before returning to the Commission as a ploughing tractor driver. Tommy became a Mechanical Engineer in the 1950s and was appointed as Workshop Manager in 1975.
Picture: Tommy Cameron presented with his retirement gift by Jim Mair, CME N(S), and accompanied by his wife and colleagues.
Jimmy Farquharson, Leading Ganger, Harvesting, Moray Forest District, has retired after 50 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Jimmy Farquharson with colleagues and friends, being presented with his Long Service certificate by J. Atterson, Conservator N(S).
Roy Hughes, Recreation and Range Manager, New Forest, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. His earlier posts were as a Civil Engineer at Bristol, then at Kendal in 1957 and on to Basingstoke in 1960, then Lyndhurst in 1966. Ten years later, he took over as Conservancy Recreational Planning Officer.
Picture: Roy Hughes.
Laurence Steel (Boko Steel), Ganger in JPP Nursery on Central Beat, Thetford, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission, joining in 1948 aged 15 at Thetford Forest.
Picture: Boko Steel with colleagues.
Mrs June Adams, Administrative Officer, South Downs FD, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Dave Taylor, Senior Storeman, Blairadam, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Dave McGibbon, Forest Craftsman, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission.
Bruce Milne, Inver Workshop, has retired after 24 years’ service with the Commission. He joined as a Mobile Mechanic in the former East Scotland Conservancy, working in Aberdeenshire. Bruce was promoted to Vehicle Inspector in 1976 in East Scotland and Mid Scotland after amalgamation.
Tribute to Winifred
Friends and relatives of Winifred Cooper gathered at Kilmun Arboretum by a group of aspen planted by her husband Donald, and her two sons, to mark her life and work. Winifred, who died last summer, had worked for FC Research at Kilmun for 14 years, maintaining and updating records and information.
Picture: Friends and relatives of Winifred Cooper gather at Kilmun Arboretum.
Obituaries
Jack Maund, former DOI, Utilisation Officer in NE(E), died on May 30, aged 86. He trained at The Dean Forester Training School and was involved with harvesting and utilisation of thinnings from pre-war plantations. He would travel the coastal collieries of Durham and Northumberland coaxing managers to buy props and chocks.
Frederick John Green (Jack Green), has died aged 82. He joined the Commission as a Temporary Foreman in the New Forest and retired as Head Forester in 1970. During retirement, Jack was re-employed on a seasonal basis from 1971-1977 to work in the Information Caravan in Lyndhurst Car Park.
Walter Jack Wilson, died on June 3, aged 65. He served with the Commission in Scotland, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, before being assigned to collecting material for the proposed heritage museum. He established a nature trail and started a successful exhibition of woodland crafts and as a sculptor, he created the Douglas Fir carving of “Tent peg men” at the Commission’s Golden Jubilee in 1969. One of his carvings was presented to Princess Alexandra and another is in the Food and Agriculture Building of the United Nations in Rome.
Tom Hunt, has died aged 79. He joined the Commission as a CO in 1950, and in 1957 was promoted to EO (pay £430!) in the Directorate Office, which later became North Wales Conservancy, and he remained there until retirement in 1974.
Frank Bryan, former Senior Draughtsman, has died aged 65. He joined the Director Wales office in Aberystwyth soon after it moved there in 1947, and he eventually took charge of the Drawing Office in Aberystwyth. Later, Frank moved to Edinburgh as Senior Draughtsman. In 1968, he moved to Lyndhurst to take charge of the then SE(E) Drawing Office, where he stayed until retiring in 1984.